A neuropsychological model relating self-awareness to hostility.
Neuropsychological advances may help researchers better understand the relationship between psychological constructs. This paper proposes a neuropsychological model explaining the negative relationship between hostility and "self-awareness," which has been suggested by previous research [H. A. Demaree and D. W. Harrison (1995a) "Behavioral, Physiological, and Neuropsychological Correlates of Hostility," manuscript submitted for publication; L. H. Epstein and P. A. Cluss (1982) "A Behavioral Medicine Perspective on Adherence to Long-Term Medical Regimes," Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 50, pp. 950-971; M. F. Scheier et al. (1974) "Self-Awareness and Physical Aggression," Journal of Experimental and Social Psychology, Vol. 10, pp. 254-273]. The authors review the role of the right cerebrum in both hostility and "self-awareness"--including arousal, perceptual, expressive, and integrative processes. Using identifiable tracts in the brain, the model suggests how deficits in "self-awareness"--poor awareness of physiological arousal, natural and emotional environment, etc.--may enhance the probability of hostility expression. This model is supported by previous empirical research and provides direction for future neuropsychological investigation.
Demaree
H A
HA
Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA.
Harrison
D W
DW
D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D019260:Expressed Emotion / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D012647:Self-Assessment